A Group of Children Are Selected Because They Scored Extremely

question 42

Multiple Choice

A group of children are selected because they scored extremely high (over 145) on an IQ test. Psychologists test their performance again 4 years later only to find that most of them scored a bit lower the second time than the first time. Which of the following is the most likely (and the most parsimonious) explanation?

• A) The children got overconfident and did not try as hard the second time.
• B) The children must have had some sort of unpleasant experience in school that caused their intelligence to decrease over time.
• C) Nothing unusual happened, because all people's IQ scores decline over time.
• D) The drop represents a random fluctuation in data based on a test with less than perfect reliability.

---

Definitions:

Manumission

The act of a slave owner freeing their slaves, a practice that occurred in the United States and elsewhere prior to the abolition of slavery.

Prominent Men

Individuals who stand out in society due to their achievements, influence, or contributions to various fields or social causes.

American Slaves

Individuals held in bondage and forced into labor without pay, primarily in the United States before the abolition of slavery with the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865.

Bermuda

A British Overseas Territory in the North Atlantic Ocean, known for its pink sand beaches, subtropical climate, and as a popular tourist destination.